Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has launched a thinly-veiled attack on Roberto Martinez in response to the Everton manager’s accusations that John Terry has “illegally” tapped up John Stones.
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“My feeling is just one and I’m not speaking about Everton or Stones”.
Chelsea have made their intentions clear when it comes to Stones and with the season so close, that’s something that has clearly riled Martinez.
The Telegraph even report that Chelsea will guarantee Stones at least 30 appearances in a bid to persuade him to leave Everton.
“We have had one or two bids for a player who, in my eyes, potentially can be the best centre-half England have produced, and we have not accepted it. There is no deal on the table so move on”.
Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair says the club’s pursuit of John Stones does not mean John Terry’s Stamford Bridge career will end any time soon.
Despite being adamant that Stones is not for sale, Martinez was unwilling to say whether the 21-year-old has asked to be given the chance to speak to Chelsea should they make an offer that meets Everton’s valuation.
Martinez had been sure that Romelu Lukaku would be fit for the game, after he rested him during the Villarreal game, but is now unsure whether or not the striker will make it.
“Pre-season has been a positive period and we’ve given youngsters an opportunity”.
“We have had a fantastic relationship between the two clubs”.
Talking of Terry’s comments, Martinez stormed: “That is wrong; that is illegal”.
“Over the last two years we have seen John grow from fighting for his place to now, which is something for every Evertonian to be very, very proud of”.
The bad situations that you suffer as a player are when you are injured, when you are not in the team, when you cannot reach a certain level and you cannot enjoy your football.
“Throughout the season, you’re going to get that interest, but all we are focused on is Watford”.
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“We need three players to allow us to be in the shape we want to be”, he said. You don’t need to buy 10 players to be a better team.
